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3 big lessons the Dodgers can learn from Rangers and Diamondbacks
The Texas Rangers just claimed their first World Series in franchise history after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games. While the Rangers made quick work of the Diamondbacks, there are many lessons the Dodgers can learn from both teams that made the World Series. From optimizing the strengths of a pitching staff to deciding who makes the postseason roster in the first place, both teams did a lot of things right to fight their way from the Wild Card to the World Series.
While the Dodgers had a disappointing end to the 2023 season by getting swept at the hands of the Diamondbacks, maybe some fans will feel just a little bit better knowing LA lost to the pennant winner. Or, other fans might look at the Diamondbacks' path to the World Series and think "that should have been us."
Regardless of how the Diamondbacks making the World Series (or watching Corey Seager win the World Series MVP again) makes you feel as a fan, there are a few lessons the Dodgers can learn from these two teams.
3 big lessons the Dodgers can learn from Rangers and Diamondbacks
October Performers Are Paramount
The Rangers were led throughout the postseason by Adolis Garcia, who had the most RBI in a single postseason without even finishing the World Series (he was injured in Game 3), and former Dodgers star Corey Seager. While Marcus Semien and Max Scherzer did not live up to the lofty expectations placed on them throughout the postseason, Scherzer's three scoreless innings in Game 3 were extremely important, and Semien rebounded from his earlier struggles by tallying five hits in his final 14 at-bats, which included a go-ahead RBI single in Game 3, a triple and home run in Game 4, and the series-sealing two-run home run in the ninth inning of Game 5.
For the Diamondbacks, Corbin Carroll was unstoppable against the Brewers, and helped finish off the Phillies with a three-hit, two-RBI Game 7. Ketel Marte had a hit in every game of the postseason until Game 5 of the World Series (and he still had three walks in that game). All of this is to say that if you want to win in the postseason, you need your stars to show up.
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have had well-documented struggles in recent postseasons (especially in 2023), and the duo of Garcia and Seager that almost willed the Rangers singlehandedly to a title definitely indicates that if LA wants to get back to the top of the baseball world, Betts and Freeman will need to be at the heart of that effort.
Pitching, Pitching, and More Pitching
The Diamondbacks may not be the best example for this lesson, but the Rangers' victory was largely due to their stellar pitching staff, led by Nathan Eovaldi. The Rangers actually had a similar pitching situation to the Dodgers: Jacob deGrom, the true ace of the staff was forced to miss the majority of the season due to an injury, like how the Dodgers were without Walker Buehler throughout 2023. However, the Dodgers and Rangers went in drastically different directions at the trade deadline.
The Rangers went extremely aggressive, trading prospects to acquire Jordan Montgomery and Scherzer to bolster the front end of their pitching staff. While Scherzer had his fair share of struggles with the Rangers (both in terms of injuries and performance), the Rangers brought him in as essential front-end help behind Eovaldi. Scherzer has lots of playoff experience, and while Montgomery had barely pitched in the postseason before 2023, he had pitched in many high-stress situations with the Yankees and Cardinals.
The Rangers have deGrom, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien signed for many years, and could have easily chosen to mail it in for the rest of the season, banking on next season being just as promising, but their aggression paid off in a massive way. While Scherzer's injuries prevented him from pitching in the Wild Card and Division Series (and then he struggled in two appearances in the ALCS), Montgomery tossed seven shutout innings against the Rays in the Wild Card round, and then pitched 14 innings in three appearances (two starts) against the Astros in the ALCS, surrendering just two earned runs. Even when Montgomery wasn't sharp, he provided much-needed length as a starter, covering up the biggest weakness of the Rangers' roster: the bullpen.
Always Ride the Hot Hand, Even if it Means Playing Younger Guys
This one is always a major sticking point for the Dodgers. LA always seems to have a massive amount of talent both in its farm system and in the majors. But every year by the time the postseason rolls around, the veterans on the roster are the ones who are valued over rookies and rising prospects. In 2023, David Peralta struggled in the second half of the season. After posting a .757 OPS with seven home runs before the All-Star Break, Peralta ended the season with a .675 OPS, going without a home run for almost three months.
The Dodgers at any point in that stretch could have tried out stellar prospect Michael Busch in left field as an experiment (considering he is blocked by Max Muncy, Miguel Vargas, Freddie Freeman and others in the infield), like they did in 2021 with Gavin Lux while Trea Turner and Corey Seager occupied the middle infield spots. Even if an experiment with Busch didn't turn out well, the Dodgers could immediately pivot back to playing Peralta again.
However, for both the Rangers and the Diamondbacks, young players made contributions all over the place. Evan Carter posted a 1.058 OPS in 75 plate appearances towards the end of the season for the Rangers, and was immediately thrown into the fire of the postseason. Carter thrived in the role, posting a .917 OPS in 72 plate appearances in the postseason, and was an instrumental part of the Rangers' World Series run.
The Diamondbacks allowed Brandon Pfaadt to contribute in major ways to the pitching staff, with likely Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas and Gabriel Moreno (all of whom made their debuts in 2022) also playing everyday roles at their respective positions. While the Dodgers certainly have the major league talent to avoid playing as many prospects and inexperienced players as the Diamondbacks did, they could also certainly afford to dip into their pool of talent in the minor leagues more and take chances.